Authorities have recently clarified the situation surrounding the discovery of a deceased dog while investigating the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The couple’s bodies were found at their Santa Fe home on February 26. However, the sheriff noted they might have passed away up to two weeks earlier.
Surviving the ordeal were two dogs: a German shepherd named Bear and a second dog named Nikita. Sadly, their kelpie mix, Zinna, did not make it. According to Joey Padilla, who runs a local pet care facility, Zinna was found in a kennel located in a bathroom closet near Arakawa.
Initially, investigators reported finding a “deceased brown in colour German-Shepherd canine,” but they later admitted to misidentifying the breed of the deceased dog. Sheriff’s deputies, who don’t work with dogs regularly, made the error. Their spokesperson, Avila, expressed regret over the mix-up.
USA Today was the first to report the misidentification issue. Padilla shared in an email that Zinna had a strong bond with Betsy and was a wonderful companion, having transformed from a shelter return into a beloved pet under her care.
Both bodies were found under troubling circumstances. Arakawa’s remains were discovered with an open prescription bottle beside them, and Hackman’s body was located at the entrance of their home. Fortunately, both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide, which is dangerous in poorly ventilated spaces. Inspectors also did not find any gas leaks, except for a minor one on a stove burner that posed no serious risk.
As the investigation continues, authorities have collected personal items for analysis, including a planner and two cellphones. Medical investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of death, but the toxicology results could take several weeks.